At Style and Sway, our focus is on minimal, chic, effortless, and clean fashion for women transitioning into the dreaded adulting phase of life. Let’s be honest, in a closet full of clothes, we all tend to come back to what’s comfortable, easy, and what we know looks good. Your favorite pair of jeans are working hard to give what they’re supposed to give to your legs and booty. With that in mind, we want to provide some tips on how to curate an edited wardrobe that meets all of our minimalist requirements. Here are our top tips to consciously curating your minimalist wardrobe:
- Are we really still trying to impress others with our clothes?
You’re done with school, and you’re making waves in your chosen profession. You are handling real-life responsibilities like work, having a place to live, and relationships. You have bigger fish to fry than to worry about than fitting in with others. So, while it’s great to update your wardrobe with the latest trends, we think you should also be looking for pieces that will last. Multi-use pieces, like blazers, will carry you farther than a plaid pleated mini skirt. We are subconsciously conditioned to participate in trends as an outward signal to others that we belong, but does it really matter? When you’re out there shopping, we want you to think about practicality and longevity over trendiness.
2. Are you actually going to wear this piece somewhere?
We’ve all done it: We found a piece we really liked – it fits really well, and it was on sale. The only downside? The pattern or color didn’t fit in with any of our wardrobe staples, or it was formal enough to wear to a special event or wedding. As we look into the dressing room mirror, we think: “I will absolutely find a place to wear this, no problemo!”
Unfortunately, this event never came, and this piece is now in the back of your closet with the tags still on. When you’re shopping, we just want you to live in the reality of your current lifestyle. If you do not regularly attend special events, you do not need to purchase an outfit just in case of an invitation. Think about your day-to-day life and purchase special outfits. Only when special events materialize. Then, donate or sell that piece – it doesn’t pay you to rent for living in your closet.
3. If you must shop, imagine your closet and purchase items that go with it
Let’s say you have done the work and created a solid minimal style. You have resisted erroneous purchases and donated or sold clothing that no longer serves you. When shopping for items to add to your closet. You should be able to envision at least 3 existing outfits into which this item can be incorporated. Imagine you are Cher from Clueless and your closet is her closet. You should have a mental Rolodex of your existing items. You have to be able to identify whether a new item can mix and match with what you have. If it doesn’t work with what you have, you don’t need it.